5 Characteristics of a Healthy Family: The Trouble Tree

25 Dec 5 Characteristics of a Healthy Family: The Trouble Tree

Merry Christmas everyone! Today, we’re going to keep talking about the family and wrap up our series on a healthy family’s characteristics. Really, one of the foundational things of Christmas is the family and of course about our Savior. So I just want to spend a few minutes with you on Christmas today to talk about the last characteristic of a healthy family. You can catch up on the rest of this series on my Youtube channel.

#5: Provides a Home That Is a Safe Harbor

I want to share a story with you about a safe harbor home. I like to share this story sometimes when I’m teaching on the family sometimes. It’s called “The Trouble Tree.” Here it is.

“The carpenter I hired to help me restore an old farm house had just finished a rough first day on the job. A flat tire made him lose an hour of work, his electric saw quit, and now his ancient pickup refused to start. While he drove home, he sat in stony silence. On arriving, he invited me to meet his family. As we walked to the front door, he paused briefly at a small tree, touching the tips of the branches with both hands.

When opening the door, he underwent an amazing transformation. His tanned face was wreathed in smiles and he hugged his two small children and gave his wife a kiss. Afterward, he walked over to the car, we passed the tree and my curiosity got the better of me and I asked him about what I had seen him do earlier.

He said, “Oh, that’s my trouble tree. I know I can’t help having troubles on the job, but one thing’s for sure: Troubles don’t belong in the house with my wife and my children. So I just hang them up on the trouble tree every night when I come home. Then in the morning I pick them up again. Funny thing is,” he smiled, “When I come out in the morning to pick them up, there aren’t nearly as many as there were the night I hung them on the tree before.”

We’re talking about here on Christmas day is the importance of providing a home that is a safe harbor. I think what this man was doing both spiritually and figuratively, is a powerful exercise. We know that the Bible is very plain that we can cast our cares on God.

I really want to encourage you to enjoy this Christmas time you have together. Understand the importance of having a home that provides a safe harbor. And I just want to come to you today with a quick encouraging word to help you know the importance of loving one another and bonding together as a family in this Christmas season. Make sure when you pray that you cast out those calories from those cookies, pies, and the cake! My favorite is pecan pie of course.

Thank you and let me know if you’re watching by leaving a comment and just say, “Hey Billy, I’m here on Christmas!” I’d really appreciate that.

I want to remind you that we are having our Annual Wealthbuilders Conference, January 22nd-24th right here in Denver. We’re so excited about it and in our Early Bird special we actually almost doubled our entire attendance for the conference last year! We’re in the Christmas sale right now, and that sale is about $30 off on the regular price. Go to wealthbuildersinc.org to register. We would love to see you there.

Most importantly today, I want to tell you Merry Christmas and God bless you. Have a great time with your friends and family on this great Christmas day.

Join me every Friday for more tips on investing in yourself and others. Merry Christmas everyone!

About

Billy’s titles are many – Entrepreneur, Real Estate Investor, Speaker, Coach, Author, Pastor, Philanthropist, Husband, Father, and Grandfather. After a brief stint in retirement, Billy Epperhart is returning to his passion of helping people reach their dreams through Wealthbuilders so that they can make an impact. He shares his wisdom weekly on the blog, at speaking events and coaching sessions, and through his three businesses.